Verilux,and Bell+Howell evaluated by Tailored Lighting 12-4-03 and 4-8-04. Click on picture to enlarge to view labels.
Verilux,and Bell+Howell evaluated by Tailored Lighting 12-4-03 and 4-8-04. Click on picture
to enlarge to view labels.
Using a spectroradiometer to measure the spectrum of the three competing sources all having promised a daylight source: "sunshine in a box" (Verilux), "simulates outdoor sunlight" (Bell+Howell). The data above clearly show these sources did not replicate the daylight spectrum. Compared to a daylight spectrum at 5500K with a CRI of 100, an average Color Rendering Index of about 80 was determined for all three competing light sources. The spiky nature of these sources is common among fluorescent light sources. The large peaks and valleys in the spectrum created by fluorescent based light sources like the Verilux, and Bell+Howell bulbs are not found in natural daylight as shown above. This radical deviation from the daylight spectrum can cause colors to look faded and distorted. Fluorescent lights like these three light sources fall far short of the SoLux standard when attempting to simulate daylight. Examine the above spectra and decide for yourself, do the Verilux, and Bell+Howell bulbs provide a close approximation to daylight? Recently, in the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, articles have been published highlighting the environmental dangers associated with fluorescent light sources. The state of Maine has WebPages explaining the involved clean up procedures required for the removal of hazardous mercury found in ALL fluorescent lights.
Ask yourself, if all that the fluorescent companies say is true, then why aren't they found in numerous museums like SoLux? Why are companies like Dupont, Sherwin Williams, and Valspar using SoLux for critical color evaluation instead of "Full Spectrum Fluorescents"? The answer is these institutions have serious color scientists that have taken the time to test SoLux and have confirmed this is the single source that comes closest to simulating the daylight spectrum.
In contrast to the competing lamps, the SoLux spectrum very closely matches the spectral distribution of daylight (blue line). SoLux's Color Rendering Index at 5000K is an industry best 98.
To own the best commercially available daylight source under the sun, click here or keep reading further and find out what independent experts have to say:
Andreas Bluhm, Head
of Exhibitions, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam
"Artists
and art historians alike do not need to know the physics of light, but both are
deeply affected by it. We were thus very glad and felt privileged to meet
the maker of SoLux, Kevin McGuire, who helped us with our lighting. The
Potato Eaters, one of the most popular works of art in the collection of the Van
Gogh Museum when lit by SoLux went beyond expectations. We could not believe our
eyes when we looked at the Potato Eaters even from a distance. There were
more details to be seen than what we were uses to even from much closer. We were
stunned. The Potato Eaters and the rest of the Van gogh collection can now be
seen with the best museum lighting we know, and the museum is proud to be among
the first European museums to use SoLux."
Chris Murphy from Color Remedies (www.colorremedies.com),
well known color expert for the graphics market, and co-author of Real World
Color Management, recommends SoLux. Chris wrote:
“There is only one bulb that I have come across so far that is the closest to simulating the D50 spectral power distribution (a fancy way of looking at ALL of the grades in all subjects for a light source). SoLux 4700K lamp. Don't be thrown by the 4700K rating. The important thing is the spectral power distribution, even if that sounds like geekspeak. It's a standard size MR-16 halogen bulb with a special filament and reflector. Naturally they've got patents on this thing. The price is right too. (I don't get free product, discount product or kick backs from this company; I just like the product and so far I haven't found a better product.) So with this bulb you could turn an entire room or workstation area into a proofing booth, err proofing ROOM. Far better than fluorescent.”
Steven Johnson a well known photographer wrote...(www.sjphoto.com April 2002).
Finding an artificial light source near daylight has traditionally been no small task. The SoLux bulbs rise to the occasion. These bulbs are particularly useful with pigment prints that overreact to changes in lighting color temperature.”
SoLux is recognized around the world – in Australia Les Walking recommends SoLux in his Color Management Lectures. In a recent (June 2003) email from Les he wrote:
Your Solux lamps have made a significant difference for many people working in the area of critical colour management, especially in relation to metamerism with pigment printer inksets. We use a GretagMacbeth Spectroscan with Profile maker 4.1.1 software and include a custom SoLux lamp viewing light source spectrum in our profile calculations. This produces greater accuracy than with any other continuous spectrum viewing light source I have tested. For example our average LabD50 Delta E profile accuracy is typically better than 0.50, which is quite amazing. Thanks.
Andrew Rodney (“the digital dog” www.digitaldog.net) is another well known color expert who frequently mentions SoLux in his presentations.
Mr. Norman Koren uses SoLux... He is a well known Boulder Colorado based photographer.
The Pakon F-235 Digital Film Scanner exclusively uses a SoLux 4700K lamp.
SoLux is used exclusively by the Van gogh Museum and other well known museums around the world. SoLux is also recommended by the automotive paint industry as the best light source for color matching.
